Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-03-07

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. the worlds
most eloquent preacher, and one of Ameri-
cas- most conspicuous characters and one
who has accomplished a great deal of good
for the people and the country, was Strick
en down with apOpleXy. in his sons house
in Brooklyn, early Friday morning. ly
noon Saturday he was almost unconscious.
At IL o'clock Saturday night he was some
what better. During Sunday Mr.. Beecher
seemed 10 be gradually failing and it was
on that day thought that he could live but a
few days at longest. A press dispatch says:
William c. Beecher is reported 10 eX
press the opinion that his father would
not be alive after : o'clock this morning.
Many people anxious 10 hear the latest
news of the dying divine, are congregated
on the sidewalk in front of the house. 81.
Clair Mchelway, managing editor of the
Brooking Eagle. says that preliminary
steps We're making 10 celebrate a triple an
niverSary of events in Mr.. Beecher's life.
The celebration was 10 have taken place in
September in the Brooklyn Academy of
Music. This is the fiftieth year Of Mr..
Dc,cher's marriage, the tiftieth of his ord
nation Ia the ministry and the fOrtieth of
his paStnrate of Plymouth church. Had
the beloved pastor lived, his congregation
and friends would have celebrated these
events in big jubilee.
The following is brief sketch of Mr..
Beecher'S career:
Rev. Henry Ward Bcecher is the fourth
son of Lyman Beecher. ami WAS born at
Litchtield, Conn. June ~. 1878. He
graduated from Amherst college. MasSa-
chuSetts; in 1884, and later studied theology
at Lane seminary. near Cincinnati. He
first settled as Presbyterian minister at
Lawrenceburg, Ind. in 1897. removed 10
indianapolis in 1859. and became pastor of
Plymouth Congregational church at Brook
lyn. y. Y, in lS41. During his whole ca
reer he has mingled 10 a greater extent than
almost any other preacher Of his denomi
nation in matters not directly professional.
In Brooklyn he was soon known as
an earnest opponent of slavery. and very
early became known As a platform orator
and lecturer. He has always been a strong
republican, with the exception of the Blaine
Cleveland campaign. when he advocated
the election OF the latter. and has preached
number of political sermons from his pull
pit, besides addressing a number of polit-
" al hiN'Aia-'- III loaN VI
the Christian Union. weekly religious
paper. Mr.. Beecher has several times Wis
tied Europe. the last trip being made last
summer. when lie spen, several months in
England, Ireland and Scotland. preaching
and lecturing great number Of times.
In the summer Of 1874 Mr. L. Tilton. then
editor of the INDEPENDENT, charged Mr..
Beecher with criminality with Mrs. Tilton.
He brought IA civil suit against Mr.. Beecher,
claiming $4,000 damages. The trial
lasted six months and ended in the de
PENDANTS acquittal. In 1878 Mr.. Beecher
announced that he did not believe in the
eternity of punishment. believing that all
puniShments are cautiOnary and remedial.
lie formally withdrew from the association
of Congregational churches on account of
this change in his belief. He is the author
Of Lectures TO Young Men" Ears and
Ewes" Freedom and War, Norwood,
life of Christ" and many other works.
He was yoluminouS and constant
writer and in additions Ia his sermons. that
had worldwide reputation and were
printed every week in newspapers from
one end OF the country Ia the other. he
contributed To magazines and periodicals on
a variety of subjects. He spent many sea
sons lecturing, from which source his in
come was in some years $4,000. and has
appeared in Springfield in that capacity
number Of times. He also recently began
writings series of letters upoa interesting
topics that were handled by many of the
large newspapers of the country.
Mr.. Beecher'S attack is said tfbe largely
due 10 his literary overwork. being en-
gagged on his second volume of The Life
of Christ" when stricken with this NAL
ady.